Switch



April 18, 1939. F. G. WHITTINGTON 2,154,796

SWITCH Filed July 50, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet l IN VENTOR FEEDEE/K 6 WH/TT/NGT ON 2 A TTO ZNE Y April 18, 1939- F. G. WHITTINGTON 2,154,796

SWITCH Filed July 50, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 38 3' INVENTOR' FEEDEE/K G. WH/T'T'INGTO/V BY Z ATTOR EV April 18, 1939. F. G. WHITTINGTON SWITCH Filed July 30, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR FEEDER/K G WH/TT/NGTON WTORNE? Patented Apr. 18, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SWITCH Frederik G. Whittington', Toledo, Ohio Application July 30,) 1936, Serial No. 93,317.

i 2 Claims.

This invention relates to switches, more particularly to switches adapted to be operated by the foot of an operator to dim or brighten, as it is commonly called, the headlights of an automobile.

The invention contemplates the provision of a foot-operated switch which will change the energization of the headlight lighting circuit from the full-brilliancy filaments to the dimmer filaments with absolute certainty without sticking at some intermediate point to leave the headlights dark. A rotating switching element is used to obtain this result, a plunger being provided to cooperate therewith to turn the switching element through a definite angle of rotation to place into contactual relation a set of contacts to com-' plete the extraneous lighting circuit through the headlamp bulbs, the regular filament circuit and the dimmer filament circuit being energized alternately.

The relation between the switching element and the plunger to actuate the switching element is such that the operative contact therebetween remains unbroken until a complete actuation has been attained and a new lighting circuit has been closed. This result is obtained by a means which operates only at'such time as the new conditions in the lighting circuit are consummated, and thereafter prevents movement of the switching element by the plunger until a new cycle of operation is beginning. However, before this time, the switching element is controlled by the plunger and will be returned, in case there is a failure of a complete actuation, to the initial position where the original circuit conditions obtain. In this manner, the switching element is actively controlled at all times for actuation to either an original or a new position by the construction disclosed and thereby prevents the elements fromsticking in an intermediate position to result in the complete darkness of the headlamps. This condition of darkness is dangerous to.the oper-- ator of vehicle and is to be avoided.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to 3 provide a manually-operated switchwhich places the switching elements under complete control of the manually-operated member between an initial position and a final position) to assure positive actuation and prevent .stlcking at an intermediate position. H i

It is a further object of this invention to provide a foot-operated switch for-an automobile which will change the-circuits through the headlamps from the regular filament of the bulbs ,to

the dimmer filament without a period of darkness intervening during the operation, or from complete darkness, through the provision of a positively-acting actuating -mechanism controlling the movement of the switch member at all times.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a foot-dimmer switch for an automobile that is positive in action, durable in use, and-economical to manufacture in large quantities.

It is a further object of this invention to pro-' vide a foot-dimmer switch for an automobile having a floating contact member to cooperate with the contact points for insuring positive electrical contact to complete extraneous circuits, the fioating contact member cooperating with the contacts under the influence of a resilient means which equalizes the pressure at the points of electrical contact.

Other objects and advantages of this invention relating to the arrangement, operation and function of the related elements of the structure, to various details of construction, to combinations of parts and to economies of manufacture, will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following description and ap-- pended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

Figure 1 is an elevational view of the invention, partly in section, with the cover removed from the case.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing the plunger cap depressed during actuation.

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view looking along the line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an elevational view of the cover for the case.

Figure 5 is a view taken along the line 55 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is an elevatio'nal view, partly in section, of a modification of the invention with the of Figure 6.

Figure ll is anelevational view, partly in section, of. another modification of the invention with the cover ofthe case removed.-

ing plate 20 is provided having two spaced aper-.

tures 2|, one adjacent each end of the plate into which may be threaded any suitable mounting screw cooperating with a support (not shown) Positioned at an intermediate point on the mounting plate, there is provided a plunger barrel 22 which haslugs 23 at its bottom end to fit into cooperating apertures 23a. in the mounting plate. 1 The lugs protrude beyond the mounting plate and may be bent inwardly or outwardly to hold the plunger barrel in position. A plunger cap 24 is provided to telescope over barrel 22 to form a slidable guide therebetween. A plunger 25, in the form of a bar or channel, or the like, is positioned in the bottom of the plunger cap 24 and may be fastened thereto in any convenient manner as; for example, by lugs 26. The plunger extends vertically from the base of the plunger cap 24 and cooperates with a guiding aperture 21 formed in the mounting plate 20, the plunger being of such length that it extends beyond the mounting plate to cooperate with switching devices to be described hereinafter. A coil spring 28 is positioned about the plunger 25, acting between the mounting plate 20 and the base of the plunger cap 24 to urge the plunger outwardly as shown in Figure 1. Stop means 29 is provided to limit the movement of the plunger 25 under the influence of the spring means 28.

In this manner, there is provided a push button adapted to be operated manually as; for example, by the foot of an operator; the thrust to actuate the push button being applied on the plunger cap 24 to act against the resistance of the spring means 28, whereby the plunger 25 is advanced inwardly to actuate switching devices to be described hereinafter.

On the side of the mounting plate 29, opposite from that on which the plunger barrel is mounted, there is provided aoasing 30 of such size as to'en close the active parts of a switching mechanism. The case 30 is attached to the mounting plate 20 in any convenient means as; for example, by rivets, welding or the like. One side of the case is open and is adapted to provide a seat for an insulating plate 3| (Figure 4) The plate is positioned upon the sides of the case and held firmly in place by means of lugs 32 which are bent inwardly' to embrace indentations 23 formed in the plate 3|.

This construction isemployed with adaptations in the three modifications of the invention as illustrated generally by Figures 1, 6 and 11. As

pointed out before, the plunger 25 extends beyond the mounting plate 20 into the case 20 where it is adapted to cooperate'with a novelswitching device. The device comprises in general a unitary switch mechanism, and an actuator which effectuates the reciprocation of the plunger to operate the switching device.

A mounting means such as a stud 34, serving also as a bearing, is provided to position the unitary switch mechanism for rotation in the case 30 and may be in various forms to flt'the circumstances under which it is used as shown in Figures 5, 9 and 14.

Unitary switch mechanism Referring to Figure 5, there is disclosed a novel switch mechanism A which may be assembled separately and positioned within the case 99 upon the mounting stud 34 provided therein. The unitary assembly A is composed in general of three parts, an insulating actuator disc B, a metallic contact plate C, and a spring D.

The contact plate C is held in position upon the actuator disc B by means of elongated lugs 35 struck up from the contact plate C. The ends of the lugs 35 cooperate with slots 36 piercing the actuator disc 13 and areprovided with laterally extending flanges 31 to grip the back side of the actuator disc B. Several lugs are provided at spaced intervals so that the spring D may be positioned therebetween to hold the actuator disc B and the contact plate C resiliently connected. In this manner, the contact plate C floats with reference to the actuator disc 13 and may adjust itself to inequalities in the contactual relations during switch actuation so that better electrical contact will be obtained between the contact plate C and contact points 39 cooperating therewith.

Positioned between the lugs 35 there are provided three lobes 38 in spaced relation on the contact plate C and formed integrally therewith to extend laterally therefrom in the same plane. The lobes 38 cooperate with-contact points 39 as shown in Figure 3 to make and break extraneous circuits connected to the switching device by means of the connectors P, which are riveted to the contact points 39 through apertures provided in the insulating plate 3|.

In the modifications of the unitary switch mechanism illustrated in Figure 9, the contact plate C is resiliently supported in the same manner upon the actuator wheel, as described above with reference to the modification shown in Figure 5. The actuator disc, in this instance, comprises two relatively thin discs E, E, held in spaced relation by a third disc F of smaller diameter.

The three discs are mounted upon a bushing G of any suitable material and positioned for rotation upon the mounting stud 34. Adjacent the periphery of the discs E, E there is provided a series of rollers H in spaced relation which have trunnions I cooperating with aligned apertures in the two discs E, E. The trunnions I are adapted to extend slightly beyond the outside of the discs E. The slots cooperating with the elongated lugs 35 are cut in both discs E, E, adjacent the periphery of the disc F and are aligned so that the lugs 35 may communicate witirboth and hold the assembly together throughthe action of the resilient means D against laterally extending flanges 21.

In the modification of the unitary switch mechanism shown in Figure 14, the details of construction of the actuator disc with the three discs and the rollers are similar. In this construction, the contact plate is modified. The contact plate C, which has a. base portion J, is positioned upon the face of the outer disc E, and held in place by lugs K which extend through the slots cut in the discs, the lugs having laterally are provided to cooperate with contacts positioned in the insulating cover of the case in a similar manner as described above;

Actuating mechanism ator disc 13, and is adapted to cooperate with the notches 40 to rotate the unitary switch assembly into predetermined positions as controlled by the relation between the contact plate C and its cooperating contact points 39. The plunger 25 in th s construction is channel-shaped and positioned in the mounting plate 2|! to project into the case 30 so that the trough of the channel partially embraces the actuator disc B as is clearly shown in Figure 3. The sides of the channel-shaped plunger are provided with aligning slots 42, disposed at an angle from the transverse axis of the channel, The roller 4| is provided on each end with a trunn on 43 which cooperates with the slots 42 to form a guide so that the roller 4| is positioned with n the trough of the channel and allowed limited movement in the plane of the slots 42. The limited movement in the slots allows the roller 4| to ride the periphery of the actuator disc B and move into o erable relation with the notches 40 under the influence of a roller spring 44, which is held in pos tion by means of a rivet 45 on the bottom of the trough of the channel. The free end of the spring 44 bears against the roller 4| and urges it into operable relation with the actuator disc B.

The actuator disc B is held in pos tion against counterclockwise rotation by means of a stop spring 46 which is anchored on an adjacent side of the case 30 by means of a rivet 47, the side of the case having a heel 48 struck up to form an abutment for the spring to prevent lateral displacement from its operable relation w th the actuator disc B. The free end of the stop spring 46 engages the notches 4|! in the peripheral edge of the actuator disc and holds the unitary switch assembly in posit ons at which the contact lobes 38 will cooperate with contact points 38 mounted upon the insulating plate 3|. These positions also dictate the cooperational relation between the roller 4| and the notches 40, to assure the proper application of torque for rotation.

With the parts of the mechanism in substantially the position shown in Figure 1. force may be applied to the plunger cap 24 by any convenient manual means as; for example. by the foot, to depress the plunger against the resistance of the spring 28 and allow the rol er 4| to transmit the reciprocatorv action of the plunger 25 to the actuator disc B and rotate the same in a clockwise direction. The roller 4| remains in contact with the' notch 40 through the action of the roller spring 44 until it is substantially in the position shown in Figure 2. at which time, the stop spring 46 will cooperate with the next slot on the actuator disc B and will hold the same against counter-clockwise rotation under the influence of the roller 4|. Inasmuch as the actuator disc B may not rotate in a counter clockwise direction, spring 28, acting upon a plunger cap 24. will urge the plunger back to the initial position shown in Figure 1. This will cause the roller 4| to ride up a cam surface formed on the trailing edge of the notch 40 and press the roller into the bight of the slots 42 (as shown in phantom in Figure 2) and allow it to roll along the peripheral edge of the actuator disc B to the initial position, where the spring 46 will urge it into cooperation with the adjacent slot. With the parts in this position, a new cycle of operation may be initiated.

In performing this cycle, the actuator disc,

" with the floating contact plate C, is advanced to cooperate with the contact points 39 in new relation to open or close extraneous circuits successively as will be described hereinafter.

Referring to Figures 6 to 10, a modification of the actuating mechanism is shown. The unitary switch assembly is positioned within the case 30 in a manner described in detail above. The actuating member of the unitary switch assembly,'in this instance, consists of two relatively thin discs having a series of rollers H mounted therebetween in symmetrical spaced relation in a manner similar to the notches 40 in the modification illustrated in Figures 1 to 5.

An actuator 50 is provided in the form of an elliptical plate having adjacent its one end, a bight or notch and adjacent the opposite end, an elongated slot 52. The actuator is positioned in the case in spaced relation with the unitary switch assembly on a mounting stud 53, riveted or otherwise aflixed within the casing. A screw 54, having an abutting shoulder 55, is placed into threaded relation with the mounting stud 53 to position the actuator 50 thereon for limited motion along the slot 52. A spring 56 is provided, anchored on a side of the casing 30 by means of a rivet 51 to cooperate with the slotted end of the.

actuator 50 to urge the actuator in the direction of the unitary switch assembly. The bight 5| is adapted to engage the rollers H of the unitary switch assembly consecutively whereby a'reciprccatory motion of the plunger 25 is adapted to rotate the unitary switch assembly by predetermined steps.

The plunger 25 in this modification is in the nature of a bar, projecting into the casing 30 adjacent the actuator 50. In spaced relation on the plunger 25, there are positioned two screws 58 and 59 which are fitted into threaded apertures in the plunger 25. The screws 58 and 59 project into the plane of the actuator 50, as is clearly shown in Figure 10, and cooperate therewith by pressing upon the periphery of the actuator to transmit to it the movement of the plunger to move it-to the various operable positions about the screw 54, (shown in phantom in Figure 6). The screw 58 has a dual function in that it acts to limit the outward motion of the plunger 25 under the influence of the spring 28 by abutting against the inner side of the mounting plate 2%.

A stop spring 60, anchored within the casing 35] by means of a rivet 6|, is adapted to cooperate with the back side of the actuator disc E to form an abutment for the projecting ends or" the trunnions I of the rollers In this manner, counterclockwise rotation of the unitary switch assembly is prevented.

When plunger 25 is reciprocated, the movement is transmitted by means of the screw 58 to the actuator-5|! which oscillates and rotates the unitary switch assembly in a clockwise direction. The actuator 5i! will remain in contact with the unitary switch assembly through the medium of the notch 5i emb acing the rollers H until such sembly so that the stop spring 68 does not have an opportunity to engage next trunnion, the notch 5| will remain in operable relation of the roller H and return the assembly to the initial position.

When the stop spring 60 abuts against the next trunnion I of the unitary switch assembly, the plunger is completely depressed with the bottom of the cap 24 adjacent the top of the barrel,22, as is shown in phantom in Figure 6. The spring 28 will tend to return the plunger to the initial position but since the unitary switch assembly may not rotate counter-clockwise, due to the action of the stop spring 80,'the actuator 50 will be displaced to the right (Figure 6) *against the resistance of the spring 56 by having the cam surface 50a ride the roller H to thrust the actuator along the slot 52. e The roller H will then fall into the bight 5i under the action of spring 56 which urges the actuator '50 to the left, andthe plunger has leeway to move to its initial position to begin a new cycle of operation. In this manner, there is provided a switch mechanism which will not stick at an intermediate position but will always be positively actuated from one positionto the next.

Referring to Figures 11 to 14, another modification of the actuating mechanism is disclosed. Here the unitary switch assembly employed is again of different construction (the details of which are described above) but it is to be under stood that the unitary switch assembly, shown generally in Figure 9, is substantially co-extensively useful with the modification shown in Figure 14. The roller and disc construction, providing the actuating member for the unitary switch assembly, is substantially. the same and is mounted in the same manner within the casing 36 as described above.

The plunger 25 in this modification is in the nature of a bar having a bifurcated portion 18 on its inner end. An actuator 1i is mounted in the slot of the bifurcated portion by means of a screw 12 which is threaded into aligning aper-' tures, allowing limited movement of the actuator ii in the plane of the unitary switch assembly. The screw 12 also serves as a stop to limit the outward motion of the plunger 25 under the action of the spring 28. The actuator H is adapted to cooperate with the rollers H of the unitary switch assembly by a notch Ha positioned thereon and is held in operable relation therewith by means of a leaf spring 13 which is mounted ona side of the casing by means of a rivet i i. A stop spring 75, which is mounted by means of the rivet is on a side of the case 30, is provided to engage the extending trunnions I on the rollers 2-1 in a manner similar to the construction described above.

is the plunger 25 is depressed, the reciprocatory movement will be transmitted to the rollers H by the actuator ii and will rotate the unitary switch. assembly in a clockwise direction until the stop spring i5 cooperates with'the trunnion of the next roller. With the spring 15 limiting counter-clockwise rotation, the spring 28, applying retractive force to the plunger 25, will cause the roller to ride up the side of the notch Ila against the action of the spring 13 which will be displaced as shown in phantom in Figure 11 and to snap into engagement with the next roller. This action completes the cycle.

Contact arrangement arcane erate with the lobes on the contact plate C. One method is clearly illustrated in Figure 4 and the second in Figures 8 and 12. The method disclosed in Figure 4 is applicable to the modification shown in general in Figures 1 and 8 while the method disclosed in Figures 8 and 12 is applicable to both types of contact plates.

The method shown in Figure 4 has a two-point suspension for the contact plate upon the contact points. For this purpose, three contacts are used which are in the nature of rivets, which pass through the insulating cover plate ii and have connectors P attached thereto, preferably by riveting for connection to extraneous electrical circuits. These connectors P may be of any convenient design, preferably of the slip type terminal as shown.

The contact point 89a is positioned relatively near to the center of the contact plate C so that the contact will ride upon the circular plate on the inside of the contact lobes 38. In this manner, the contact will be in contactual relation at all times with the contact plate C. The contacts 38b and 38c are positioned relatively further from the center and are adapted to make intermittent electrical contact with the lobes 38 of the contact plate C.

Under the influence of the plunger 28, the uni-' tary switch assembly is rotatively advanced a predetermined angular distance with each reciprocation of the plunger, and the lobes ll of the contact plate 0 will be advanced from electrical contact with the contact 38b into electrical contact with the contact 880. The lobes 88 on the contact plate C will make the electrical circuit between contacts 88a and 38b and then with the next actuation of the plunger will move forward and make contact between the contacts Ila and 38c, the lobes being rotated to successively perform this function.

In the method of arranging the contacts II on the insulating plate Ii disclosed in Figures 8 and 12, a three-point contact plate suspension is employed. Four contacts 38d, 38c, 38!, and 380 are provided to attain this end, three of which 88d, 38c, and 88/ are provided with connectors P being riveted preferably to the contacts as described above. The ,contact 18a is provided with a bin bar 88 which is placed in electrical contact with the contact 38c so that the connector, cooperating with the contact fle, is a common point for the two contacts 38c and 389. The cooperation of contact plate C in Figure 8 is shown in phantom.

The contact plate C, as rotated by the various modifications of actuating members, is advanced a predetermined distance for each reciprocation of the plunger. With the contact plate C in the position shown in Figure 6, an electrical circuit will be completed, between the contacts 88d and 389, the latter contact being in electrical circuit with the connector cooperating with the contact 38c through the medium of the bus bar 80. Then if the plunger is actuated so that the contact plate 0 will be advanced to the position shown in phantom in Figure 8, the circuit between the contact 38d and the contact "a will be broken and a new circuit will be completed between the contact lie and the contact 38!. In this manner,

"two extraneous electrical circuits cooperating with the connectors can be opened and closed alternately which makes the switch especially suitable for use on automobiles where it is essential for night driving to dim the lights while passing other automobiles, and then again brighten the lights when the passage has been negotiated.

' closed may be used with either of the unitary switch assemblies.

It is to be understood that the above detailed description of the present inventionis intended to disclose an embodiment thereof to those skilled in the art, but that the invention is not to be construed as limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of being practiced and carried out in various ways without departing from the spirit of the invention. The language used in the specification relating to the operation and function of the elements of the invention is employed for purposes of description and not of limitation, and it is not intended to limit the scope of the following claims beyond the requirements of the prior art.

I claim:

1. In a device of the class described, an enclosing case, a rotary switch member mounted within the case, contact means mounted by insulation in the case in operable juxtaposition with the switch member to selectively close extraneous circuits, resilient means to urge the switch member into engagement with the contact means, insulating means cooperating with the switch member to isolate the same electrically, rollers mounted in the insulating means in symmetrical relation, actuator means to grip the rollers consecutively and thrust them a predetermined angle of rotation and to return them to the original position by positive action, releasing means coop erating with the actuator means to break the grip of the actuator means under certain conditions, holding means to cooperate with the rollers to actuate the releasing means to prevent reverse rotation of the switch member under influence of the actuator means after the predetermined angle of rotation has obtained, manual means to actuate the actuator means, and resilient means to return the manual means to an initial position to allow the actuator means to grip a new roller.

2. In a device of the class described, an enclosing case, spaced discs mounted in the case for rotation, projections mounted on the discs in symmetrical circumferential relation, a switch member mounted adjacent the discs and adapted to rotate therewith, contact means mounted byinsulation in the case in juxtaposition with the switch member to cooperate therewith to close extraneous circuits selectively, resilient means to urge the switch member and the contact means together, manual means extending into the case, actuator means to extend adjacent the discs and grip the projections thereon, and adapted tooscillate the discs about their mounting in either direction with equal facility under the influence of the manual means, holding means to prevent reverse rotation of the discs by saidactuator means after a definite angle of rotation has obtained and resilient means to return the manual means to an initial position.

FREDERIK G. wm'rrmq'ron. 

